HIGH-DOSE INTRAVENOUS GAMMA-GLOBULIN THERAPY FOR ACQUIRED VON-WILLEBRAND DISEASE

Patients with acquired von Willebrand disease may present with severe bleeding, which is usually difficult to manage, Adequate haemostasis i n acquired von Willebrand disease may be achieved with the infusion of factor VIII/von Willebrand factor concentrates or with the administra tion of desmopressin. We report a case of acquired von Willebrand dise ase with severe postoperative bleeding, responding poorly to classical von Willebrand factor replacement therapy but successfully treated wi th high-dose intravenous gammaglobulins. This new treatment mode of ac quired von Willebrand disease is discussed in the light of a critical analysis of the literature.